In EMS, you come across a vast array of illnesses and diseases on calls. This page will hopefully act as a guide for you in regards to the most commonly seen or frequently heard conditions in EMS and their meanings.
AAA (aortic abdominal aneurism) – enlarged area in the lower part of the aorta
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) – range of conditions caused by a complete or incomplete blockage of a coronary artery
Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) – heart attack
Alcoholic Ketoacidosis (AKA) – buildup of ketones in the blood
Anemia – condition in which there is a lack of hemoglobin
Asthma – condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus
Bronchitis – inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) – life-threatening disorder in which the body produces thick and sticky mucus that can clog the lungs and obstruct the pancreas
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) – chronic condition in which the heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should
Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning – build up of CO in bloodstream
Compartment syndrome – occurs when edema following an injury increases pressure which interferes with blood flow
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) – group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe
- Pulmonary emphysema, Chronic bronchitis, Asthma
Croup – infection causing swelling of pharynx, larynx, and trachea
CVA (cerebral vascular accident) – stroke
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) – serious diabetes complication where the body produces excess blood acids (ketones)
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) – group of diseases that result in too much sugar in the blood (high blood glucose)
DVT (deep vein thrombosis) – blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs
Epiglotittis – swelling of the epiglottis
Epilepsy – disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) – weakens a person’s immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection (causes AIDS)
HPV (human papilloma virus) – infection that causes warts in various parts of the body (most common STD)
Myocardial Infarction (MI) – heart attack
Pertussis – whooping cough; highly contagious bacterial disease characterized by uncontrolled coughing
Pneumonia – lower respiratory infection caused by a viral, bacterial, parasitic, or fungal organism
Pneumothorax – free air inside the chest cavity; reduces the amount of negative pressure needed by the patient to ventilate
Pulmonary Edema – condition caused by excess fluid in the lungs
Pulmonary Embolism – condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot
Respiratory Distress – compensatory mechanisms can sustain life (SpO2 > 95%)
Respiratory Failure – compensatory mechanisms fail to maintain adequate oxygenation (SpO2 < 95%)
Seizure – episode of neurological dysfunction caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain
Sucking Chest Wound – type of open pneumothorax where air is sucked into the thoracic cavity through the chest wall instead of into the lungs
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – the sudden death of an infant younger than 1 year of age that remains unexplained after a complete postmortem exam and death scene investigation
STD (sexually transmitted disease) – infection transmitted through sexual contact, caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
TB (tuberculosis) – bacterial infection with varied strains; most commonly found in lungs but can affect any organ
URI (upper respiratory infection) – common viral infection that affects the nose, throat, and airways
UTI (urinary tract infection) – infection of the urinary system